A national charity has slammed NHS cancer care cuts at Oban hospital, while Argyll’s MSP, and public health minister, is being urged to intervene.
Back in August, we reported haematology consultant services were being withdrawn from Lorn and Islands Hospital by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), forcing “hundreds” of vulnerable blood cancer outpatients to travel 200 miles for treatment in Glasgow, instead of one specialist visiting Oban.
It blamed “difficulties to recruit – due directly to the requirement to travel to Oban”, and assured “every effort is being made to minimise the need to travel” with “an enhanced virtual model”.
However, the charity Blood Cancer UK says the new arrangement “could be detrimental and put patients at additional risk”, and is demanding a review.
Regular in-person consultations with a haematologist are “essential” for patients, its CEO Helen Rowntree said, to check new symptoms. and discuss medication changes or starting treatment.
“Blood cancer patients are still a high-risk group, susceptible to contracting infections due to their weakened immune system. Travelling nearly 200 miles for treatment in Glasgow will be a disturbing thought for many. For those patients who rely on public transport, the level of risk is even greater.”
For many, the changes may come at a psychological and financial cost, she said. “Consultations can often be stressful and worrying experiences for patients. Those without a car will have to pay for public transport. Some may be forced to ask carers or a family member to take time off work and drive them. Patients may have to travel to Glasgow the day before and stay overnight. Financial support must be put in place to cover these expenses.”
The call was echoed by a retired consultant, Andrew K Henderson MBE, who started Oban’s haematology service in 1979 with Dr Norman Lucie. “This service was extremely valuable and possibly life saving,” he said. “I think it imperative NHS Highland move now to reinstate the service that served us so well for 45 years.”
In July an Oban hospital patient pleaded with Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto, the Scottish Government’s public health minister, for help, for all cancer sufferers in NHS Highland’s area who need regular examination and consultation “on a life or death basis”. Ms Minto wrote to Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) for reassurances, and forwarded its reply to the patient on September 28.
The HSCP said: “It had proved impossible, despite extensive effort, to recruit new consultants to vacant posts which previously had responsibility for the Oban clinics.
“There were inequities in patient care delivery between NHSGGC and Argyll and Bute patients which required to be addressed. A reduced visiting service will not be feasible.”
It was the “same old stuff”, the patient said, urging Ms Minto for further action.
“Hundreds of sick cancer patients are being required to somehow travel long distances to Glasgow instead of one haematologist coming to Oban,” they said.
“The NHS’s own website says virtual meetings are unsuitable for consultations which require physical examination. Blood cancer consultations generally critically require physical examination of lymph nodes, rashes, spleen, etc. The whole new arrangement is a disgrace.
“As health secretary and the MSP for Argyll and Bute, political responsibility for allowing this shocking injustice to continue lies firmly with Jenni. It will be extremely advantageous to all concerned if she acts further and firmly on behalf of her constituents who have the grave misfortune to have blood cancer. On this she perhaps will be judged.”
Ms Minto did not respond by our deadline.
NHS Highland added: “The Highlands and Islands travel scheme is available to support patients that need to travel significant distances to hospital appointments.”